Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 31/02) - John Breen is a storyteller with the coolest props -- airplanes. Breen, a self- proclaimed air-show narrator who has been doing shows for 14 years, displayed his verbal talents at last weekend's air show.

John Breen in action at last weekend's air show in Yellowknife. - Jorge Barrera/NNSL photo

The former air traffic controller, instructor and pilot now tours the country telling the story of aviation history through the airplanes that dance in the skies, wowing crowds.

"I've been around airplanes since I was eight years old," said Breen, who hung model airplanes from his bedroom ceiling as a child.

As planes flew overhead, Breen peppered the Yellowknife crowd with information, jokes and historical tidbits during the air show.

Breen conspired with Ken Pietsch, 51, an acrobatic pilot from Minot, North Dakota, to pull of one of the more hilarious stunts of the day.

Pietsch pretended he had never flown an airplane after Breen said he had won a ride in a yellow, Interstate Cadet.

Pietsch hopped into the plane and roared off in a very wobbly takeoff. The yellow Cadet dipped and darted, pausing at almost 90 degrees and plunging back down. One of its aileron's fell off and toilet paper floated out its window during the routine.

"I do it to take some of the mystique and fear away from flying for people," said Pietsch.

"It's the wings that make a plane fly, not the motor. Around 3,800 people gathered outside the RCMP-Department of National Defence hangar to watch this year's event which featured another spine-tingling Snowbirds display.

"I think the air show was cool," said Adam Jensen, 12. "I'd like to be an F-18 Hornet pilot."

Jensen's favourite part of the show was the acrobatic flights.

Low cloud cover and cool winds dampened the spirits of some spectators.

"It wasn't as good as before," said Jim Hope who attended the air show in 1998. "There was better weather."